Dawn Redwood Tree 100/120cm (2L)

Dawn Redwood – Metasequoia glyptostroboides is a deciduous conifer with a remarkable history, known only from fossil records until living trees were discovered in central China in the 1940s. Supplied here at 100/120cm in a 2L pot, this young specimen is ready to establish quickly and put on rapid growth in its first few seasons.

The tree forms a narrow, conical outline with a straight central trunk and slightly ascending branches, giving it an architectural presence even in winter. The soft, feathery foliage emerges a fresh bright green in spring, arranged in flattened sprays of needles roughly 1-2cm long. Summer brings a deeper green tone before the autumn display arrives, when the whole canopy turns warm apricot, russet and coppery brown before falling. This is one of only a small handful of conifers that drop their needles each year, so the bare winter silhouette reveals the fibrous, reddish-brown bark, which becomes deeply fluted and buttressed at the base as the tree matures.

Dawn Redwood is a strong choice for larger gardens, parkland planting, avenues or damp ground where many trees struggle. It tolerates seasonally wet soil and is often planted near ponds, streams and lakes, where the reflected autumn colour is particularly effective. It is also notably wind-firm once established and generally untroubled by pests and diseases. Wildlife value comes largely from the shelter the dense summer canopy provides for nesting birds.

Given space and reasonable moisture, growth can be vigorous, so consider the long-term scale before planting close to buildings, boundaries or drains.

Care Guide

Plant between autumn and early spring while the tree is dormant, choosing an open position in full sun or very light shade. Dawn Redwood prefers a deep, moisture-retentive soil that is neutral to slightly acidic; it copes well with clay and damp ground but dislikes thin, dry chalk and exposed coastal salt winds.

Dig a planting hole twice the width of the root ball, loosen the base, and set the tree at the same depth it sat in the pot. Backfill with the excavated soil, firm gently and water in thoroughly. A stake is useful for the first two or three years in windier parts of Britain, along with a mulch of composted bark or well-rotted manure kept clear of the trunk.

Water regularly through the first two summers, especially during dry spells, as young trees resent drought. Once the root system has spread, established specimens usually manage on British rainfall alone, though watering during prolonged summer dry periods will support better growth and richer autumn colour.

Feeding is rarely essential, but a general-purpose granular fertiliser applied in early spring will help young trees settle. Pruning is best kept minimal: remove damaged, crossing or competing leading shoots in late winter to maintain the single straight trunk. Avoid heavy cutting back, as the natural pyramidal shape is the tree’s greatest asset. Fully hardy throughout Britain.

Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height
20–50 years

Ultimate spread
4–8 metres